Hey folks, Harry here... Since I'm in two books coming out March 5th -- My Book and This here EVIL DEAD: BOOK OF THE DEAD dvd... I figure I'll stump a bit for the other (though I get no profit in it) one here a bit. I'm dying to see FANALYSIS which is included in it. This sounds like it'd be one helluva fun event. Here ya go...
Hey Harry,
I havent seen anything on your site about the Evil Dead 20th Anniversary Cast Reunion premiering the new Anchor Bay Book of the Dead DVD release.
Well, my wife and I were there so I thought I'd write up a quick review for ya.
We bought our tickets about a week in advance so we weren;t too worried about the show selling out, which it did. The show was to start at 7pm but we got there around 6:15 or so and the line was already wrapped around the building and the show was completely sold out. We had to wait outside for about an hour or so (The show started a little late) but it was cool. We were both suprised and pleased at the diversity in the audience. People of all ethnic background and age were in the line and all excitedly talking about everyones favorite film.
About a half hour into our wait outside, a limo pulled behind the building and people began hooting and hollering. The about 5 minutes went by and everyone calmed back down. Just then, from out of no where, Bruce Campbell walks through the crowd and quickly says hi to everyone and asks if we were all cold! Which we were, it was about 35-40 degrees then. He promptly went into the theater and that was the last we saw of him for the time being.
A little later, a huge limo pulls up to the front of the theater and out pops Bruce and he holds the door open and ushers out Tom Sullivan (special effext wiz), Hal Delrich (Rich Demanicor who played Scott), Ellen Sandweiss (Cheryl), Betsy Baker (Linda), and Sarah York (Theresa Tilly who played Shelly). They walk the red carpet and head straight into the theater. Shortly after that, they let the crowd into the theater to be seated.
We enter the theater and are greeted with a big hug from our friend, Tom Sullivan.
We chat with him for a few minitues and then rush to find a good seat before the show started.
A rep from Anchor Bay (I believe, I could be wrong) stood at the front of the theater and tried to work the crowd. He talked very briefly about what the show was about and then passed the show over to Bruce.
Bruce talked a bit about the history of Evil Dead and thanked companies like Anchor Bay for keeping the interest in Evil Dead and thanked the fans. He also mentioned in a joking manor "And who knows, there could be a sequel." he said with a smirk on his face.
Then the movie started.
Now, this was a beautiful version of the movie. Anchor Bay has done a wonderful job. You can still tell that this movie was shot on 16mm, but this is definitly the best it has ever looked and will probably ever look in the future. It was matted for the widescreen, but after watching the movie a millin times fullscreen, I am happy to say that I didnt notice anything missing or anything like that from the new matting.
Unfortunatly, the sound in this theater wasn't the best. I'm not sure, maybe another visitor here could correct me if I'm wrong, but I dont believe the theater was even supplied with any type of surround sound system and at all. All the sound appeared to come from the front of the theater. But like I said, I could be wrong, it just seemed that way to me. It wasnt the best THX experience I've had in a theater :-)
After the movie, there was a give away by Anchor Bay of 10 Book of the Dead DVD's. During this time, the cast were back stage getting ready for the Q&A. The Anchor Bay rep introduced everyone and held Bruce for last. When Bruce was announced, he came from the backstage area waving with a big hollywood type smile, playing the big hollywood actor schtick and he then promtply tripped and fell on his face. He jumped back up and searched the floor for the thing that he 'tripped' over only to find nothing, shrugged it off and sat down. Of course this was a fine example of Bruce physical comedy and it worked like a charm. The audience roared with laughter.
I wont go into all of the questions that were asked because they were alot of the same that were asked before at other shows.
Now, these questions aren't exact quotes, I'm reciting them here from memory.
1. When was the last time each of you watched Evil Dead from beginning to the end.
Tom Sullivan: I watch it every time I get an opportunity to show it to anyone. I'm still very proud of my work on the movie.
Hal Delrich: I watch it every Halloween with my nephew and his friends.
Betsy, Ellen and Sarah: they all look at each other and say it's been quite a while. For Betsy and Sarah, they went to a Halloween showing in LA last year and that was the first time they had seen it in 20 years. Ellen said she almost forgot the movie existed.
Bruce: Said he watches it too much.
2. What are you all working on now and in the future.
Tom Sullivan: is selling replicas of the Book of the Dead on ebay and at his website www.darkageproductions.com.
Hal Delrich: works at a local floor covering company.
Betsy, Ellen and Sarah: Have formed a company called The Ladies of the Evil Dead and are going around the country promoting the Evil Dead at conventions. They also threw out shirts and promoted their website www.ladiesoftheevildead.com
Bruce: He never really answered this question, but later on when a similar question was asked, he said "maybe Evil Dead 4!" With another stare into the crowd and a smirk.
There were alot of other questions, but like I said, they were the same ones that are always asked.
One thing I was happy to see is that Hal Delrich recieved a huge ovation when he entered the stage area after the movie. Hal asn't been seen, heard, or interviewed ever about this movie. He's always stayed away from press and it was good to see the crown cheer him at his first public appearance for the show.
The cast got along wonderfully and joked with each other all the time. They were all smiles and you could tell that each of them truly enjoyed the night and were still proud of the movie.
After the Q & A, they had an autograph session with the cast and then the next showing was to start at 11pm.
All in all it was a truly great night and I cant wait for the Book of the Dead DVD to hit stands on March 5th.
I'm sure I probably missed a few things that happened but I think I talked about the majority of the show. Hope you can put this to use!
best wishes,
Jason Moore -
